Top 10 '80s Shows That Properly Handled Serious Topics

The original run of “The Wonder Years” has been rightfully lauded over the years for the quality of its writing. As a result, this comedy-drama was able to deftly handle even the toughest of plot points. The fact that “The Wonder Years” was set during such a tumultuous time in American history (the 1960s and ‘70s) meant that cultural shifts, mores and politics were all fair game. For example, the episode entitled “My Father’s Office” deals with dreams, parenting and how sometimes the two have a hard time co-existing. Even the pilot episode displayed how “The Wonder Years” was unafraid of heavy topics, with Winnie Cooper’s brother being killed while overseas in Vietnam.

It takes a certain kind of “Very Special Episode” to eventually be used as an example for young people. The “Bad Timing” episode of “The Hogan Family” — originally titled “Valerie” — was one such example, and it showcases how the show’s writing staff knew what they were doing. That episode discussed safe sex practices, but this wasn’t the only time “The Hogan Family” delved into serious issues. There were also episodes that dealt with the burgeoning AIDS crisis, as well as the infamous death of the original title character, played by Valerie Harper. As a result, consider “The Hogan Family” to be pretty underrated.

The television landscape has never been short of cop shows. However, the 1980s ushered in a new sort of police procedural: one that was even more grounded in reality. This is mostly thanks to the prolifically talented writer and producer Steven Bochco and “Hill Street Blues.” The show also predicted future successes Bochco would have with shows like “N.Y.P.D. Blue,” in that it depicts a police force full of humanity…and human foibles. “Hill Street Blues” wasn’t a show where plot threads were neatly and conveniently tied up in under sixty minutes. Instead, narratives were carried on throughout the season, and featured episodes like “Rites of Spring” that discussed racism in the police force. “Hill Street Blues” was truly something special.

The original “Fame” television series was an excellent adaptation of the 1980 film. The show was able to take the dramatic elements of that influential movie and bring them to the small screen. There was plenty of romance, dancing and great music on “Fame,” but the show also wasn’t afraid to get really real. Episodes such as “Go Softly Into The Morning” and “Bottle of Blues” dealt with drunk driving and alcoholism, respectively. Meanwhile, “Help From My Friends” discussed depression and self-destruction in a way that didn’t feel trite or forced. “Fame” is definitely deserving of a revisit.

The plot of the original “21 Jump Street” may have eventually made a smooth transition into the world of film comedy, but this television show was actually played quite straight. As a result, “21 Jump Street” feels like a traditional, undercover police procedural. And this show didn’t shy away from presenting the consequences of guns, illegal substance use and criminal activity in no uncertain terms. Episodes like “After School Special” discussed students bringing guns to school, while “Under the Influence” tapped into the “Satanic Panic” that worried parents of punk and heavy metal fans. Additionally, “A Big Disease with a Little Name” covered important topics like the AIDS crisis and school tormentors.

The “Very Special Episode” of a sitcom can really fall flat in an offensive or patronizing way if not be suitably handled with sensitivity. Thankfully, “Family Ties” did these sorts of episodes with a steadier hand than most, thanks to a number of factors. For starters, the earnestness of the scripts helped make The Keaton Family’s reactions believable. Additionally, the quality of the acting was very high, so the performances drive home the dramatic elements. Episodes like “Say Uncle,” “Speed Trap” and more dealt with alcoholism, substance abuse, anxiety and inappropriate behavior in ways that were often earnest, while the show remained frequently funny.

“A Different World” never seemed to shy away from tackling social issues. Instead, this spin-off from “The Cosby Show” seemed to delight in diving into said issues, head-on. The show’s collegiate setting helped demonstrate how that time in a young person’s life is often where their political and social views tend to codify. Hot button political topics such as Apartheid weren’t off the table for “A Different World,” and the show was one of the earlier sitcoms to discuss the AIDS crisis in earnest. The show’s historically African-American college, Hillman, also set the stage for discussions on racism, interracial relationships and even the Los Angeles Riots.

“Diff’rent Strokes' ' may have started in the late seventies, but its longevity and fandom helped make it a staple of 1980s television. In fact, it was the show’s ‘80s run that featured some of its most significant episodes. These included “The Bicycle Man,” which depicted abduction in one of the most harrowing ways imaginable. Meanwhile, “A Special Friend” brought epilepsy into the show’s narrative conversation, while “The Reporter” even saw former First Lady Nancy Reagan guest-star, in order to hammer home the decade’s “Just Say No” campaign. “Diff’rent Strokes'' kept its poker face through it all, and handled all of these topics with a stony seriousness.

“The Golden Girls” was amazingly adept at inserting serious discussions into their episodes, while remaining uproariously funny through it all. The characters’ age meant that some subjects TV often avoided were able to be explored. These included, but weren’t limited to menopause, Alzheimer’s disease, prejudice, and end-of-life choices. The AIDS crisis also reared its head here, and was handled superbly well. “The Golden Girls” also addressed topics like gambling addictions within its run, proving how there was pretty much nothing off limits to the writing staff or the cast. “The Golden Girls” just nailed it, every time.

Before we name our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions!

“The Facts of Life” (1979-88)
The Good, The Bad and Everything in Between

“Punky Brewster” (1984-88)
Reflecting on the Challenger Disaster

“Mr. Belvedere” (1985-90)
Predators in Prime Time

“Growing Pains” (1985-92)
The Effects of Grief

“St. Elsewhere” (1982-88)
Doctors and High Drama

The “Degrassi” Franchise has become well-known, at this point, for its fearlessness. It doesn’t matter whether we’re talking about the original “Kids of Degrassi Street,” “Degrassi Junior High” or any of its subsequent spin-offs: this show turned “getting serious” into an artform. It’s perhaps “Degrassi Junior High” that’s best known by an international audience, thanks to it being broadcast in its native Canada as well as in the U.S. on public access. “Degrassi” treated kids with respect, and discussed issues like unplanned pregnancy, anxiety and much more with empathy and understanding. There’s a reason why we’re still examining “Degrassi Junior High” today, and it's because of the show’s excellent writing.

Which ‘80s television show do you think stood out from the pack? Let us know in the comments.